But if all it takes is inspirationThen I might have just what it takesIf I don't make no bad mistakes and IGet it right the first time Cause that's the main thing

​ The least known song from The Stranger is probably "Get It Right The First Time." It is an upbeat, funky, Latin-tinged, disco-like song; just a nice bit of fun. The song opens with Liberty Devitto and Doug Stegmeyer laying down a funky drum and bass line, and then Richie Cannata comes in playing the flute. It is the closest that Billy ever came to doing a disco song, yet it all works. The song is catchy and the bossa nova type beat is irrestible, but next to such classics as "Just The Way You Are," "Vienna" and "Scenes from An Italian Restaurant," it hardly received any airplay or recognition. But listening to it is a guilty pleasure for hardcore Billy Joel fans

I don't believe in first impressionsFor just this once I hope that looks don't deceiveI ain't got time for true confessionsI've got to make the move right nowGot to meet that girl somehow

Get it right the first time That's the main thingI can't afford to let it passYou get it right the next time that's not the same thingGonna make the first time last.La la la la la la la . . .

I'm not much good at conversationI never was much good at comin' on real strongBut if all it takes is inspirationThen I might have just what it takesIf I don't make no bad mistakes and I

Get it right the first time Cause that's the main thingI can't afford to let it passYou get it right the next time that's not the same thingGonna make the first time last.La la la la la la la . . .

I might find the courageYeah I might get up the nerveBut if my timing ain't just rightWhat purpose would that serve?I don't know, I don't know, I don't knowHow to say those first few wordsIf I want to put myself in touchThose first few moments mean so much

I suppose it's now or neverBefore that woman walks right out of my lifeJust let me pull myself togetherI've got to give it one good tryGotta take my chance tonight, and

Get it right the first timeThat's the main thingI can't afford to let it passYou get it right the next time that's not the same thingGonna make the first time last.La la la la la la laLa la la la la la la . . .

Billy on "Get It Right The First Time" on SiriusXM.

Thematically, the song is about taking a chance on making a good first impression with someone. You have to seize the moment and make the most of your opportunity because you may not get another. Getting it right the next time is just not the same thing as getting it right the first time. The guy from "Get It Right The First Time" who is trying to get up his nerve to meet a girl should meet Diane from "Sleeping With The Television On" who is looking for someone solid and can't be bothered with those "just-for-the-night boys."

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I recall that Donny Osmond performed the song live at the Miss USA pageant (or similar event) in the early 80s, but that's the only time I've ever heard the song performed by someone other than Billy. I remember watching Osmond's performance on television and experiencing a weird cognitive dissonance because the song was not a hit (he chose this out of all the Billy Joel songs?), Osmond's star was fading at the time, and it was the Miss USA pageant. (Update: I finally found the video of Donny Osmond's version, see video below). It was a weird mix of oddities, almost as odd as this (Paul Anka). Osmond also sang "Just The Way You Are" as a duet with Cheryl Ladd on the Donny & Marie show in the 1970s, and recorded it in 2005. Billy, with his wise-guy attitude and serious songs, was never the teen idol that Donny Osmond was but that didn't stop Tiger Beat magazine from featuring Billy in its "A New Face To Love" column in February 1974. Click here and enjoy. ​

This is a demo version (audio only) of the song, it is incomplete. It features a sax instead of the flute.

Billy discusses "Get It Right The First Time" and says "I don't know where that came from." Again, thanks to Rob Prisament for posting.

Live version (audio only) from a concert at Nassau Coliseum on December 11, 1977.

Here is an alternate take (audio only). Thanks to Rob Prisament for posting.

Brief snippet: "Liberty DeVitto shows you how to play the Steve Gadd-inpired drum part from this classic single which was released as the B-side of Just the Way You Are."

Donny Osmond singing "Get It Right The First Time" in 1980 on the Miss American Pageant?

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